Truly one of the coolest experiences and days of my life in Costa Rica. We spent the day with a local family who lives off the land growing Cacao, Coffee and pretty much anything else you can think of. Everything they make comes from the land and this includes medicines, food, building materials, utensils and more. We went through the time consuming process of making chocolate by hand using all local ingredients and methods. Our host was a master of the land and he taught us to eat termites for protein, harvest rubber from a rubber tree to make a lamp and even make string from leaves from trees. Making the chocolate took time and patience. Each coffee bean must be cleaned, roasted, peeled and crushed to a fine paste. Amazing once in a lifetime experience enjoyed by all of us.
CACAO FARM IN COSTA RICA
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| THESE STEPS LEAD US TO A DIFFERENT WORLD |
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| OVER A RICKETY BRIDGE TO THE FARM |
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| NICE RIVER RUNNING THROUGH THE FARM |
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| HAND MADE HUTS |
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| OUR HOSTS HOME AND CHOCOLATE FACTORY |
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| DINING ROOM |
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| KITCHEN |
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| OLDER MAN DELIVERS LARGE BAG OF HEAVY POTATOES |
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| CACAO GROWING IN THE YARD |
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| WE WILL MAKE CHOCOLATE TODAY |
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| LETS EAT SOME TERMITES |
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| INSERT FINGER INTO TREE AND ENJOY TERMITE PROTEIN |
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| SHIRLEY WENT RIGHT IN |
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| YUMMY TERMITES |
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| MAKING STRING FROM LEAVES |
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| PROCESS TAKES TIME BUT FINAL PRODUCT REALLY WORKS |
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| RUBBER TREE CAN PRODUCE FLAMES |
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| LUNCH INCLUDED CHICKEN, POTATOES AND RICE |
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| PRETTY GOOD STUFF |
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| COFFEE MADE ON FARM |
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| LEMONADE IS SERVED |
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| HOT CHOCOLATE |
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| OUR GRACIOUS HOST |
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| WARRIORS! |
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| TIME TO CLEAN UP |
